Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Separate Room

This phone photograph was taken at Cafe Select, one of my favorite places to go for a delicious croque madame. In the many times I've been there, I had never sat in the back (of the restaurant). People watching through the window while having lunch is one of my favorite things to do... Well, anyway, that day I did and noticed this tiny separate room. For some reason it brought me a feeling of isolation, solitude and loneliness. Then I thought, maybe living in NYC has made me fearful of not being surrounded by people and action all the time? After all, NYC did make my feet grow an inch and become one of those who get car sick (I figure, since I don't drive at all anymore, anytime I get in a taxi, my body doesn't know what to make of all the sudden breaks.). NYC has major powers over me, I swear.
Then, a father and his three kids walked in the restaurant and were led to the separate room. The kids were ecstatic! Jumped up and down, high fived each other and smiled like kings. They were absolutely delighted to be "chosen" to enjoy their meals in the private, VIP, tiny, separate room...
And just like that, the feeling of isolation, solitude and loneliness was gone.

Monday, April 27, 2009

New projects...

Currently working on new projects for BDB. There will be some changes here and there, new designs (of course) and much much more BDB items available to you.

$1 Lemonade! $1 Lemonade!

How cute is that? As we were walking the dogs yesterday, we bumped into these two adorable kids selling lemonade on the street. I had never seen this in NYC...

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunny Sunday

April 26th
2:47pm
91℉
Bailey status:
"please... take... me... home... it's... too... hot."

Friday, April 24, 2009

To Primos with strong statements

Portuguese to English: Primo (pree-mo) = Boy cousin, Prima (pree-mah)= Girl cousin

Yuree & Re Jin at a very young age.
Yuree & Re Jin - still - at a very young age.
Yuree & Re Jin - n e e d s a better and up to date photograph together.

There are some things people say that for some reason make an impression on you. For example, long long time ago, my friend stopped me as I was putting on my socks and shoes. Ok, let me try to explain this better. Up until then, I always put socks first (left and right, not necessarely in that order) and then shoes. She argued: That doesn't make sense. You put the sock on one foot then the shoe, THEN the other foot, sock and shoe. Why lift each foot twice?
- Did I explain this well? -
Anyway, til this day, I put sock then shoe - left, sock then shoe - rigth.
It annoys me, but I still do it. If I try to break that cycle, her voice pops in my head.

My "primo" (yes, boy primo, we're girls, but we call each other primo.) once said to me (many many years ago I was prob 15 and she was 11...),
"I dislike the combination: black and white, it's tacky." Strong statement for a kid.
That made a huge impression on me.
I LOVED black and white combination, still do... Most my clothes were/are all black and white.
It didn't change my ways, like the "sock then shoe", however, til this day, when I'm drawing with my black markers on white paper, or dressing up, her voice pops in my head.

Miss you, primo!

Oh Dear Spring,

..you are probably Brazilian. Always late.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

2nd Haircut

B E F O R E


A F T E R


The haircut above is actually the 2nd attempt.
1st attempt would have burned the film if I had taken a photograph.
Just fresh out of the salon. So I can't say "I like it" or "hate it - need to go out and buy a box of bobby pins". (That will be tomorrow.)
Although...
Hmmm, how can I explain this. I do have sort of a backwards mullet. Business on the back, party on the front.
According to John, from the back, I look like a boy wearing a bob cut wig that is too small.

B U T,
(since the 1st attempt)
I am appreciating the shorter shower time, less hair on the floor and not almost scalping myself by leaning my elbow on my hair when getting off the bed.

photo credit: 1st two, jpm. last three, photobooth

Update: Today (4/24), I think I like it.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

When...

... you're overwhelmed, stuck, stressed... tired, sad, frustrated... angry,

{Look up sometimes}
The contrast between {sky and human made} can be immensely humbling and peaceful.
Breathe, it's really not that bad.
Life is good.

photography: me, camera: lomo

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Savor Obsession

My most recent purchase from Savor, worthy of a mini photo shoot.
The color scheme of my soap selection really inspired me. The soaps and crema jars looked so pretty together, I had to take a group shot (before I ate them :) for my mood board.
Now let me tell you: The Pear soap is simply DIVINE. It's a generous chunky bar, so I cut a piece and reserved the rest with saran wrap. A crisp, sweet and juicy scent. Light and refreshing lather... Perfect for summer, it almost quenches my thirst.
I have yet to try the rest of this batch...
(Athena, Geisha, Coconut Mocchi, Pear)
As of now, Savor soaps in rotation:
Pear, Summer rhubard, Snow Cat, Angelico, Midnight creme fraiche.

The Other Day's Delight

1. Orange Juice: 365 2. Toast (12 grain) and salted butter: 365, Kerrygold Irish Butter 3. Pineapple: 365, cut it myself - trying hard not to be lazy and buy the ready cut fruits.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Precious Pieces

{Introducing}

~Precious Pieces~
Hearts And Scallops
Tree Blues
Soft Flamingos
Dotted Tree Dish
Dotted Flamingos Dish
Bailey Doesn’t Bark is happy to announce the introduction of Precious
Pieces
, a new series where I will be offering limited
edition wares. A mix of vintage and new pieces are combined with my
designs, creating special one-of-a-kind wares!

www.baileydoesntbark.com

Oi! Go over to Xenotees...

My super friend and super artist Noelle @ Xenotees is having a special giveaway over at her blog.
Check it out!

Also, make sure to run over to one of the coolest design blogs (ever!):
Design For Mankind
to find out how to win this super cozy pullover with genius design by Xenotees!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Yesterday's Delight

1. Tea: Chá Mate Leão, made in Bra(si)l - best tea in the world 2. Sunglasses: (broken) H&M, from many summers ago 3. Cookies: Honey Lavender Shortbread, W&S.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Simple Beauty

Je suis amoureux...
Estou apaixonada.
Sono nell'amore!
Really,
I am in love with these pieces by Mathias Chaize.
I first saw his work at Steven Alan. It was the ring you see on the first photograph.
I was completely enamored by the striking beauty of such a simple piece. I immediately searched for him online and have been browsing through his website pretty much every day. I love listening to the music played on the website and admiring his work. Makes me feel happy.
www.mathiaschaize.com.

Lovely.

And the winner is ...

... HOoooold on, hold on. First, I want to thank ALL of you who participated. The comments were very sweet, inspiring and extremely kind. I am very grateful that you took the time to leave such wonderful and thoughtful wishes! THANK YOU! I hope to create and provide (and will!) more art on wares for you to enjoy on my second year, third, fourth, fifth... til forever, actually!
Ok... let me tell you how the winner was selected. I used Random.org. All 102 participants names were entered in the box (see below) and...
CLICK! Random.org randomly rearranged the list and ta-da!
.....The number #1 on the list......

Congratulations, JG!
You won The Four Season Cup Set 23K Gold.
Please contact me via email info@baileydoesntbark.com.



Thursday, April 9, 2009

2 Reminders!

1) Today is the last day to post your comment HERE for a chance to win The Four Seasons Cup Set 23k Gold. Don't forget and spread the word!


2) Tonight at 7pm est do NOT miss out on this great shopping event. Don't know what to get your mom for Mother's Day? Maybe you'll find something HERE on Etsy's Shop Live hosted by beautiful Marichelle from HeartHandmade.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Shop Live on Etsy with Marichelle!

Hello everybody!
Marichelle at HeartHandmade is hosting the next Shop Live on Etsy.com.
Bailey Doesn't Bark is one of 30 shops handpicked by Marichelle to take part on this amazing shopping event. There will be at least one item from each shop specially priced for this event. Registered users can save up to 25% on regular prices!
When: 4/9, 7pm est
Where: Esty.com
Host: Marichelle | HeartHandmade
More info please! CLICK

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

One Year on Etsy, wow.


Time really does fly. Today completes one year of Bailey Doesn't Bark on Etsy.com. That's when (unofficially), BDB started business. Picture above: first sale.
I want to thank Etsy for existing. Because of Etsy, starting a business was a lot easier. The resources for independent, small business owners are great and the community extremely helpful and welcoming. The exposure Etsy gets and provides is phenomenal. If you're an artist, struggling to get your own business started, I highly recommend Etsy. Try it out, ask around, explore. Really, just do it.

Now, BDB has it's own ecommerce website - after one whole year. Didn't seem that much when we launched the website last month. I didn't even realize it had been a year today, til, today :) I'm not going to lie, I do wish I had accomplished a lot more in a year than I have. I wish everyday would have more hours or just slow down a bit. I wish I can have all those years back that I spent on the wrong career. What's life's return policy?
However, I am very very happy that I've finally found the right path (I will catch up) and am EXTREMELY grateful to my customers, friends and family. Seriously, not trying to be cheesy, but what would I do without you?

Anyway...

Today I'll share with you how I picked the name Bailey for my brussels griffon. I recruited my brother to help me pick a name. I went online and went through baby names :/
As I read the ones I liked out loud, my brother would yell (in portuguese), twisting his voice a bit and as if we were back to age 5 and 10: AaAaraArggh I can't believe you're naming your dog that.
It became a bit annoying after naming more than a dozen names... But it was when I said: Bailey - he paused, looked at me in the eyes and said: you can't be serious.
That's when I, me, 10 years old "I'm going to annoy my little brother" me, knew that we had finally found a name for the little brussles griffon arriving on August 23rd.


---

To celebrate, I'd like to gift The Four Seasons Cup Set 23kGold to one lucky person,
who will be selected at random this friday 4/10. To qualify, just leave a comment on this post... say anything. (Until 4/9 11:59pm est) CLOSED
One entry per person please! The winner will be announced, here, on Friday 4/10.

update: WINNER ANNOUNCED, click!



Thursday, April 2, 2009

Pão de queijo e Guaraná



Blurry phone photos, but still delicious!
Pao de queijo (cheese bread) is a traditional Brazilian snack. My favorite - ok, one of my favorites. (there are way too many delicious snacks to pick one only.) Originally from Minas Gerais (google), Pao de queijo is basically made out of tapioca flour and minas cheese (google) (many ppl use parmesan cheese). It's chewy and cheesy... heavenly when fresh out of the oven. I've experimented (way too much :) to come up with my own pao de queijo recipe. I'm very proud to say that I have finally come up with one. One of these days I'll make a batch and share the recipe with you.
For those of you who haven't tried these yet, you are seriously - seriously - missing out.
If you can't find any "home made" ones, I recommend this brand: Forno de Minas. They are the only ones (that are good) available here in the U.S. (Please do correct me if I'm wrong.)
If you're in NYC, try Casa (my favorite Brazilian restaurant in the city). They have pao de queijo for appetizers (picture above). For entree, I recommend the strogonoff. Yum...
I will write more about brazilian food in the future. It's a sacrilege not to share my passion for brazilian food.
Nothing will beat Guarana as the perfect drink to go with pao de queijo. Guarana is "the" brazilian soda. What? Here, click here.